World Beaters Excited As Kenya Launches Inaugural Mountain And Trail Series
From left: Double world champ and triple world cup winner Philemon Kiriago, Joyline Chepngeno, Triple world champion and reigning Golden Trail World Series winner Joyce Njeru during the launch of the inaugural AK/ KTB Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Running Series. PHOTO/ BENSON NJOGU
NAIROBI, Kenya- Over ten world beaters are excited with the inaugural Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Running Series launched by Athletics Kenya and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) in Nairobi on Thursday.
Triple world champion Joyce Njeru cannot wait to grace the expected thrilling six-legged series that will start with the Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run on January 18, 2025.
The Barngetuny edition will also be used by the Athletics Kenya (AK) to select the Kenya mountain running team to the World Championship slated for Spain next year.
The other series legs include Nyamira (May 1, 2025), Mt.Kenya (June 8, 2025), Aberdares (August 24, 2025), Mt. Longonot (November 16, 2025) and Mt. Elgon (December 7, 2025).
“I’m happy that Kenya is now taking mountain running a notch higher, and now that the trail series has landed in the country, I’m confident local athletes will take it seriously like the other road races they flock abroad,” Njeru told Standard Sports.
Njeru hopes the local series will help her to step up her training for the prestigious Golden Trail World Series she is looking forward to defending next season, following her emphatic victory this year which elevated her as the first African woman to ever conquer the feat.
” I already had my in-tray for next year full, but now that Kenya has started a series, I’m more than happy to participate in our local editions and so I will review my calendar for next season to fit them in,” the nine-time Mountain Running World Cup champion underlined.
Just like Njeru, double champion Philemon Kiriago cannot wait to utilise the local races to his advantage.
” I think the more we have local competitions, the more we will increase our chances for good medals internationally. The six local series will instill in us the confidence needed to be champions abroad, ” Kiriago highlighted.
Kiriago, a double World Cup champion, says he will use his training base in Naivasha to work on his speed, steeps, downs and mental toughness before he embarks on the local series, he is projecting to be a very tough affairs due to the plenty of talents that Kenya has but have not managed to go international like him.
KTB CEO June Chepkemei (left) and Athletics Kenya President Jackson Tuwei (right) during the launch of the inaugural AK/ KTB Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Running Series. PHOTO/ KTB
“I’m more so eyeing the Tinderet Barngetuny leg because I want to be in the Kenyan team for Spain where I’m focused to also get another gold,” Kiriago stated.
The AK Mountain Running Chairman, Peter Angwenyi said several countries including Uganda, Rwanda and Eritrea have confirmed their participation in the Tinderet Barngetuny leg which they will also use as their selection for the World Championships in Spain.
The AK President Jackson Tuwei noted that Kenya will make a bid to host the Worlds in the near future.
He said prizes for the established local series will be Sh500,000 and a heifer for top finishers in both men and women’s categories.
“Second place will get a sheep while third place will go home with a goat on top of their individual cash prizes. We intend to reward upto position 50 in the categories,” Tuwei stated.
The KTB Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei reiterated that the local series will open Kenya as a premier destination for sports, adventure, cultural preservation, sustainability and community impacts.
“As KTB, we are delighted to join the sporting fraternity in bringing Kenya’s sporting prowess back to the people through the Mountain Runs and Trails. We remain committed to supporting government’s efforts in positioning Kenya as the home of champions through sports, while showcasing our country’s rich heritage and natural beauty,” Chepkemei stated.
The Magical Kenya Mountain and Trail Series 2025 calendar
1.The Tinderet Barngetuny Mountain Run Edition – January 18, 2025
2.The Nyamira Great Run Edition – May 1, 2025
3.Mt. Kenya Mountain Run Edition -August 24,2025
4.The Aberdare Trail Run Edition – August 24,2025
5.Mt. Longonot Edition – November 16,2025
6.Mt. Elgon Mountain Run Edition – December 7,2025.
Series Race categories
-4km Primary School run (Boys and Girls)
-6km secondary school run (Boys and Girls)
-10km Run (Men and Women)
-2km children’s run (Boys and Girls)
